Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 62

6E DETROIT FREE PRESSTHURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1988 HEIRS APPARENT Waiting ame quarterback job, open because of De- U-M may know BroWs status today ALL BFGoodrich TIRES ON SALE By drew Sharp Free Press Sports Writer ANN ARBOR The Michigan quar-terbacking situation, as well as Demetrius Brown's eligibility, remained in limbo Wednesday as the Wolverines began full-contact practice drills. Brown, who started 10 of 12 games last season, might learn today whether he will be academically eligible this season. U-M academic affairs assistant advisor Bob Clifford said summer school grades were turned in Wednesday and could be released as quickly as one day or in a maximum of three days. "Many times those things happen sooner than later," Clifford said. "The professors have submitted the grades, but they have to be processed.

I'm sure everyone is anxiously awaiting to hear the results." Brown was not allowed to begin practice with the team last Saturday because of concerns over his grades. Brown had to enter summer school to raise his grade-point average to the 2.0 (C average) needed to maintain eligibility. Bo Schembechler didn't want Brown to start camp and then have to leave due to ineligibility. It is not known how many classes Brown had to make up. He has been unavailable for comment since practice began.

Some teammates wondered if he was still in Ann Arbor. Brown's absence has turned the Wolverines' quarterback hunt into a four-man race. Junior Michael Taylor RADIAL TA 70 RAISED WHITE LETTERS P17570SR013 $51.95 P21570SR-14 $66.95 P18570SR-13 $53.95 P22570SR-14 $69.95 P19570SR-13 $55.95 P23570SR-14 $72.95 P20570SR-13 $58.95 P21570SR-15 $67.95 P18570SR-14 $59.95 P22570SR-15 $72.95 P19570SR-14 $63.95 P23570SR-15 $73.95 P20570SR-14 $66.95 P25570SR-15 $80.95 RADJAL7M RAISED WHITE LETTERS P19560SR-13 $57.95 P24560SR-14 $72.95 P21565SR-15 $72.95 P23560SR-15 $72.95 P24560SR15 $76.95 P25560SR-15 $78.95 P27560SR-15 $82.95 P20560SR-13 $59.95 P21560SR13 $60.95 P19560SR-14 $63.95 P21560SR-14 $65.95 P22560SR-14 $67.95 P23560SR-14 $70.98 Bears linebacker Wilson will miss 8 weeks is the only candidate with any game experience. Three redshirted freshmen Eric Bush, Wilbur Odom and Ken Sollom are the others. If Brown's grades improve, he may be allowed to practice, but Schembechler has said it would be difficult for him to retain his starting spot.

No timetable has been set to determine the starter for the season opener Sept. 10 at Notre Dame. The coaches have expressed confidence that any of the freshmen could lead the team effectively. Brown's academic woes were not a complete surprise to his high school coach, Ron Sbrissa of Miami Beach High. Brown was his starting quarterback for four years and carried a 2.3 average.

Sbrissa said that Brown was so shy and introverted that wouldn't tell people if he was having a problem. "I'm terribly disappointed," Sbrissa said, "but it was one of those things you could see coming unless it was halted soon. Growing up, he always had to take care of things by himself. He probably figured he could handle his grades by himself. But he may have been over his head working to be the No.

1 quarterback at Michigan and trying to maintain their high academic standards without any help." Sbrissa said Brown has encountered other problems while at Michigan. He missed the team plane coming back from the Fiesta Bowl as a freshman and concerned his coaches when they couldn't find him just before a tion game, the linebackers won't re-i senible last year's crew. Jim Morrissey, a fourth-year Bear who has never started a game, will replace Wilson on the right side. Ron Rivera, who earned a starting role when All-Pro Wilber Marshall signed with Washington, will be on the left side. And rookie Dante Jones, a second-round draft pick, will probably be in the middle, replacing Mike Single-tary, who has a banged-up knee.

DENVER: Wide receiver Mark Jackson pleaded innocent In Denver County Court to charges of disturbance, assault and threats, court officials said. Denver County Court Clerk Beth Crosby called the charges against Jackson "domestic violence-related." Jackson was arrested Tuesday night, officials said, and spent the night in police custody. He was released Wednesday morning on a personal recognizance bond. Jackson was scheduled "He was 16-for-27, so his accuracy wasn't that bad. He had one good drive.

We might have two or three good drives this time. If that's the case, then we're seeing improvement." The most important thing is that Long play as much as possible before the final week of preparation for the regular season opener Sept. 4 against Atlanta at the Silverdome. Another player Rogers will be watching closely is rookie tight end Pat Carter, a second-round draft pick who missed nearly all of camp with a bad back. He began work Monday and will play "a short time," Rogers said.

"I want to see if he can hold up physically." A healthy Carter is expected to strengthen blocking for the running game and after scoring only three touchdowns and 30 points in the first three games anything that helps the offense is a top priority. Two other usual starters running back Garry James (ankle) and wide receiver Gary Lee (hamstring) aren't fully recovered and will play little, if any. The only major change on defense is Rogers' decision to move veteran Keith Ferguson ahead of Reggie Rogers at right end. "Keith has played well enough to start but so has Reggie," Darryl Rog RADIAL ffi 50 RAISED WHITE LETTERS P26550SR-15 $96.95 P27550SR-15 $101.95 P29550SR-15 $111.95 Free Press Wire Reports LAKE FOREST, III. Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson will be sidelined for eight weeks after injuring cartilage in his left knee while facing Dallas in a pre-season game.

Wilson will have surgery Monday to determine whether he also tore a ligament. If he did, he could miss the entire season, trainer Fred Caito said. Wilson, a nine-year veteran, hobbled off the field after he was hit in the knee while his foot was planted during Monday night's 17-9 loss to the Cowboys in Texas Stadium. "My foot got caught in the Astro-Turf," Wilson said. "I'm all in favor of grass everywhere.

On a grass surface your foot doesn't get stuck." The injury was another blow to the Bears' defense, which has struggled often during three pre-season games. When Chicago lines up against the Los Angeles Raiders in Friday's last exhibi The four candidates for Michigan's metrius Brown's academic problems: The senior Michael Taylor, 6-o, 202 1987: Backup to Brown, but started against Northwestern and Alabama in the Hall of Fame Bowl. Completed 13 of 32 passes for 156 yards, one touchdown and two Interceptions. Rushed for 258 yards and four touchdowns, flan for 144 yards against Northwestern and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder. OUTLOOK: Option Is his forte.

Has the intelligence needed to execute It well. The only U-M quarterback with game experience. The sophomores Ken Sollom, 6-3, 196 OUTLOOK: Has the size for a passing quarterback. He completed four of five passes for 54 yards In the spring game. Has good quickness, but says he needs to work on his option game.

COMMENTS: "I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the team and what they expect of me. That should help going into practice." practice last year. Sbrissa last spoke to Brown in May. Brown told him that he had to pass summer school to play football in the fall. He said Brown didn't appear too concerned about the possibility of not playing.

to appear Sept. 1 on the charges. INDIANAPOLIS: Quarterback Gary Hoge-boom, who had missed seven straight games with assorted injuries before returning to action last week, was scheduled to make his second straight start tonight when the Colts play at Denver. Coach Ron Mayer said Hogeboom would work "two-plus quarters," with Jack Trudeau to follow. NEW ENGLAND: Coach Raymond Berry confirmed what has been known throughout training camp, that quarterback Tony Eason has not recovered sufficiently from off-season surgery on his throwing arm to be available for duty when the regular season begins Sept.

4 in Foxboro, against the New York Jets. NY GIANTS: All-Pro tight end Mark Ba-varo, a holdout for the first month of the preseason, signed a contract Wednesday and reported to the Giants' training camp. Terms of his contract were not disclosed. SAN DIEGO: After bouncing around the NFL for five years, Babe Laufenberg has been named the Chargers' starting quarterback. Coach Al Saunders gave Laufenberg the job over Mark Malone, who was acquired during the off-season in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think this football team ers said. "We're going to play Reggie as an inside guy, rush him (in the pass rush), which he has been doing anyhow." The Lions have insisted Reggie Rogers has improved, but this is the first public indication he still isn't ready for full-time duty. The Eagles, in two years of Ryan's iron-fisted approach, have built a dominating defense led by end Reggie White, called by Rogers "the best defensive lineman in the National Football League." "We seemed to be coming along pretty good until this last performance (a 24-21 loss to New England)," Ryan said. "We're getting the type of people we want smart guys that'll knock your head off. That's the way you win, that hasn't changed for years.

"That's the kind of people we want and we're getting a lot more of them. We've got a few who don't play the game the way we want it, but you can't make all those changes at one time." Quarterback Randall Cunningham has become the big-play maker on offense, with receivers such as Mike Quick and Cris Carter and rookie tight end Keith Jackson available. Carter was charged in two indictments Wednesday related to payments from an agent, but is expected to play tonight. And even that is unlikely, Devellano said. "What people have to realize is that Montreal has offered Larry Robinson a contract for one year plus an option for another year It's not like Brad Park was, or Harold Snepsts was, a free agent without compensation.

We're not about to give up our future for a 37-year-old defenseman when we've already stated that we have to make room for our youngsters. That's why we got rid of Snepsts and Darren Veitch to make room for the kids." Keith Gave contributed to this report. BAVARIAN VILLAGE SKI SHOPS GIGANTIC SUMMER SKI SALE ENDS THIS SAT. SKIWEAR-EQUIPMENT TREMENDOUS SELECTION. YEARS BEST PRICES-DON'T MISS IT.

RADIAL TM "BLEMS" RAISED WHITE LETTERS Wilbur Odom, 6-o, OUTLOOK: He probably has strongest arm of the four. Schembechler said he and Sollom were perhaps the two best pure pass ers. Has an advan tage in that he runs equally well. COMMENTS: "It's going to hurt not having Demetrius there to set an example for us. I'm coming off a good spring game and that makes me very confident." Eric Bush, 6-1, iso OUTLOOK: Bush played the least of tne tnree reashlrted quarterbacks in the spring game.

He completed two of four passes for 27 yards. John Kole-sar said Bush reminded him of Jim Harbaugh not the strongest arm, but a good touch. COMMENTS: "It's a boost to my confidence that (Bo Schembechler) thinks any one of us could do the job. It's going to be a tough competition." "He needs something to shake him up," Sbrissa said. "If this doesn't put an impression into him, I don't know what will.

The biggest tragedy wouldn't be if Demetrius Brown never plays football again, but if he cannot continue to get his college education." needs to know," Saunders said. "The quarterback needs to know and we need to know. Sometimes indecision is worse than indiscretion." Laufenberg, 28, had been cut seven times since 1983, including four times by the Washington Redskins. WASHINGTON: General manager Bobby Beathard says there's no truth to the rumor that Washington is preparing to trade backup quarterback Jay Schroeder. But he says he would consider making a deal if the price was right.

"There Is nothing going on with this Schroeder thing right now," Beathard said Wednesday. "That's it. Period. We don't know any more than anybody else does." Schroeder said last month that he would prefer to start for another team than spend this season behind Doug Williams, who took over as the starter in the final regular season game last year. During the off-season, Williams, 33, underwent surgery for a fifth time on his left knee.

Because of the tenuous condition of Williams' knee, Schroeder serves as valuable Insurance In case Williams cannot make it through the 16-game schedule. There also is the question of how long Williams can continue. Redskins coach Joe Glbbs has called Schroeder, 27, "our quarterback of the future." lions' Last WHAT: Lions (0-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) in final pre-season game for both teams. WHEN: 7:30 tonight, Silverdome.

RADIOTV: WJR 760-AM; Channel 2 (tape-delayed at 11:30 p.m.). CROWD: About 35,000 expected; 45,000 tickets remain. Call 335-4131. LINE: Even. Lions' probable lineup Offense WR Pete Mandley LT Lomas Brown LG Kevin Glover Steve Mott RG Joe Milinichik RT Harvey Salem TE Mark Lewis WR Ray Roundtree or Gary Lee QB Chuck Long RB Garry James or Butch Woolfolk RB James Jones Defense LE Eric Williams NT -Jerry Ball RE Keith Ferguson OLB Jimmy Williams ILB Chris Spielman ILB Dennis Gibson OLB Mike Cofer LCB Bobby Watkins RCB Bruce McNorton SS Bennie Blades FS James Griffin WANTTO PICKA WINNER? 10 ol Spont Bellori Winll 90 Losell There la no such thing at a Lock Came, Are "More Stara" and "Higher Percentage dames" Causing Vou lo Play Mora Los Mora? Parlays Are Exciting, But When'a the Last Tims Vou Hit One? Teaaera? Vou Get How Many More Points? Spare Us.

THESE KEYS WILL MAKE YOU MONEYII ws Speelslltt In Mld-Amarlca Taame, We Offer Weekly College And Pro Selection! Through The Super Bowl. And National Television Camas. The Best $1,000 you Ever Spent. 'Visa 'Mastercard Umlt.o ManMiMilp to Hurry. Wo Don't Wint TU Urn Tim MID-AMERICA SPORTS 1800-662-6248 the i 3 11 HHMfc TtM II Pre-season doesn't faze Lions, Eagles P21560SR-14 P23560SR-14 P23560SR-15 P24560SR-15 P27560SR-15 $56.95 $60.95 $62.95 $63.95 $67.95 F.E.T .64 TO 4.26 LT23575 R-15 LT25575R-16 SPORT TRUCK SPORT TRUCK $82.95 $97.95 $106.95 $82.95 $89.95 $95.95 LT33-1 250R 1 6.5SPORT TRUCK LT23575SR15 ALL TERRAIN TA ALL TERRAIN TA ALL TERRAIN TA ALL TERRAIN TA $101.95 ALL TERRAIN TA $111.95 ALL TERRAIN TA $106.95 LT26575SR-16 ALL TERRAIN TA $113.95 LT 28575R 16 ALL TERRAIN TA $125.95 FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BELTED TA 70 RAISED WHITE LETTERS P18570B-13 $39.95 P22560B-14 $46.95 P19570B-13 P20570B-14 P21570B-14 i BELTED TA 60 RAISED WHITE LETTERS P20560B-13 $42.95 P27560B-14 $56.95 P22560B14 $47.95 PP23560B-15 $51.95 P23560B-14 $49.95 P26560B-15 $58.95 P24560R-14 $50.95 LIONS, from Page IE mental decision." What Rogers wants to see is at least a half and possibly three quarters of error-free play from quarterback Chuck Long.

After missing nearly two weeks of passing drills with a sore right elbow, Long was intercepted four times in three quarters Saturday night in a 24-7 loss at Cincinnati. Long said his elbow remains sore and swollen, but said it's something he'll have to live with all season. "I'll be a lot sharper (against Philadelphia)," Long said. "Last week I was probably thinking about my arm too much and all of a sudden it was game time. This week I'm worrying about Philadelphia and not worrying about my arm." Rogers hopes Long plays better, but his expectations are modest.

"I don't think from Saturday playing in Cincinnati to Thursday against Philadelphia you're going to see 300 percent improvement in three days (of practice)," Rogers said. "Chuck has worked well these last three days, but I didn't say he's improved in such a drastic amount everybody's going to be able to see it. 'If he completes the ball and doesn't throw any interceptions, he has automatically improved. Stars' Ciccarelli CICCARELLI, from Page IE stances is not acceptable in our society," Judge Sidney Harris said after finding Ciccarelli guilty of assault. Ciccarelli, 28, was led from provincial court in handcuffs and later released when his lawyer, Don Houston, filed an appeal.

Ciccarelli, who had 41 goals and 45 assists in 67 games last season, said the judge was using him to make a point. "I think it's ridiculous," Ciccarelli told KSTP-TV in St. Paul, Minn. "I don't see where these people are getting involved in the hockey aspect. I think the league office should be taking more charge and taking more control of it.

Obviously, they are using me as a scapegoat and the judge wanted to use me as an example." Red Wings coach Jacques Demers said of the decision: "The hockey stick fined, jailed for on-ice assault $40.95 $43.95 $45.95 P23570B-14 P22570B-15 P23570B-15- $48.95 $49.95 $56.95 -A 3 i f- dl I llMfj 0303 ONLY NOT ON SPECIAL ORDERS) WARREN FORD RD. r.l I.QTHM WHEELS 15x75 RADIAL SPOKE xJiJ olut ace. FORD F-150 DODGE VAN JEEPCJ7 ENKIE E.T. Keystone is a weapon, as far as I'm concerned. It could injure someone to the point where it could end a career or handicap a person.

It's going to be a strong warning to keep the sticks down, boys." NHL president John Ziegler said: "Although we are disappointed in the outcome of the case, it has been our belief that sports are not above the law." NOTEBOOK: Demers and Wings general manager Jimmy Devellano reiterated Wednesday that the chance of acquiring defenseman Larry Robinson from Montreal is remote at best. "I really don't think so," Demers said, when asked whether a deal is likely. "It was just a thought. It's not like today it's a priority. But if, for some reason it would come about, that Montreal would came to talk to us, we would listen." (WHEELS THAT ARE IN STOCK.